The earliest indigenous case of chikungunya ever identified in the Var: an update on disease transmission by tiger mosquitoes in the Paca region
It's impossible to miss the characteristic buzzing... and the itchy bites. Tiger mosquitoes are back, and with them comes the risk of spreading diseases like dengue , chikungunya , and Zika .
The enhanced surveillance system, active from May 1 to November 30, has recorded 91 imported cases in the Provence-Alpes-Côte-d'Azur region to date, compared to 980 nationwide, with Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes accumulating the most reports (181).
The infected travelers were mainly returning from Guadeloupe, Martinique, French Polynesia, Réunion, Mauritius, Mayotte and Thailand, according to the latest data from Public Health France dated Tuesday, June 17, 2025.
Investigations in La Crau after an indigenous case of chikungunyaThe highlight is the identification of two indigenous cases of chikungunya, "unrelated" , in La Crau in the Var on June 2 and in Prades-le-Lez in the Hérault on May 27.
These are the " earliest cases ever identified for indigenous cases during the mosquito vector's active season in mainland France," explains Public Health France.
Investigations to characterize the extent of the episode are still ongoing, as are prevention and control measures .
This mainly involves "two adult mosquito control treatments within a wider perimeter" of 300 meters around the contaminated site.
A case of chikungunya from Réunion could be the source of local transmission for at least one of the two cases in Var and Hérault.
Here are the actions recommended by the Regional Health Agency to combat the proliferation of the tiger mosquito, in particular by eradicating its breeding grounds:
- remove small water reserves once a week, especially plant cups;
- cover water reserves (barrels, cans, etc.) tightly with a tarpaulin or mosquito net ;
- store anything that may contain water (buckets, watering cans, children's toys) away from the rain ;
- collect green waste and clean gutters.
Var-Matin
